Civic Responsibility
Engineering is a service profession. Engineers are charged to use their talents and gifts to solve problems that impact others. The performance and practice of engineering is an act of service. Helping others improve a certain aspect of their life is what engineers strive to do. It requires vision, leadership, and a sense of responsibility to those you serve and those with whom you are serving. Those who take this responsibility and competency seriously continue to innovate solutions for the betterment of society.
Whether you are a member of a service organization, participate in outreach to get young people interested in engineering, or have the opportunity to conduct service through a classroom project, do not take this experience lightly. It may allow you to serve society and improve your ability and capacity to serve.
Whether you are a member of a service organization, participate in outreach to get young people interested in engineering, or have the opportunity to conduct service through a classroom project, do not take this experience lightly. It may allow you to serve society and improve your ability and capacity to serve.
Civic Responsibility Growth Model
Exposure
Student is open to learning about the impact individuals can have on the world and the future. Student demonstrates participation in service or civic activity.
Examples where further growth can happen:
Examples where further growth can happen:
- Attend meeting of engineering service group (EWB)
- Participate in a service project
- Complete a course that discusses impact of engineers on society
- Volunteer in one’s community
Engagement
Student engages in self-initiated service or civic activity. Student demonstrates through self-reflection awareness of their responsibility to the world, the profession, and their communities.
Examples where further growth can happen:
Examples where further growth can happen:
- Take an active and/or leadership role in engineering service group
- Take an active and/or leadership role in community-based service group
- Complete a self-reflection about impact engineers have on society
Transformation
Student demonstrates growth, change, or positive shift in behavior, knowledge, skills, or abilities related to the impact individuals can have on the world and the future as a result of engaging in service or civic activity. Student exhibits knowledge of an engineer’s responsibility to consider public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors while actively contributing to their profession and communities.
Examples where further growth can happen:
Examples where further growth can happen:
- Take an active leadership role in engineering service organization - including planning and execution of novel projects involving medium to large groups of people
- Take an active leadership role in community-based service organization - including planning and execution of novel projects involving medium to large groups of people
- Complete a large study of impact engineers have on a particular area of engineering and/or a particular segment of society
Students are exposed to developing this core competency by taking one of these courses:
City Campus - Lincoln (L) / Scott Campus - Omaha (O)
- Freshman Engineering Seminar: ENGR 10 (L) / 100 (O)
- Senior Capstone - each program